Railway truck



March 4, 1941.

D. s. BARROWS RAILWAY TRUCK Filed Oct. 8, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 EON/74.0S 54/??0/4 5 March 4, 1941. D. s. BARROW$ RAILWAY TRUCK Filed UCt. 8.1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Qwuawfom Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE RAILWAY TRUCK Application October 8, 1938, Serial No.234,037

9 Claims.

This invention relates to railway trucks with specific reference to aload carrying member or bolster portion thereof and associated parts.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an arrangementof elements whereby existing truck bolsters may be modified to form astructure capable of pivoting or angling in a horizontal plane withrespect to associated side frames and thereby impart flexibility to thetruck structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide means associated withexisting truck bolsters that have been slightly modified to present asubstantially unitary structure capable of vertical and horizontalangling movements with respect to associated side frames within apredetermined limit and provide surface bearing relation between theassociated parts.

A feature of the invention is to provide, in a railway truck, a bolsterhaving vertically spaced top and bottom walls joined together by spacedvertical side walls, a base member associated with the bolster having abed or spring plate underlying and bearing against the bolster bottomwall and having reliefs or recesses inwardly of the vertical planes ofthe side walls, spaced arms forming side frame engaging lugs beingremovably secured to the side walls, and shoes secured to the bolsterbetween adjacent arms; the shoes having angular portions underlying andsecured to the bolster bottom wall and extending within the reliefs orrecesses.

Another feature of the invention is to provide cylindrical convexsurfaces on the shoe portions of a bolster juxtapositioned with respectto cylindrical concave surfaces on side frames so as to afford a pivotalmovement of the bolster with respect to theside frames, andsubstantially coradial surfaces on the arms to engage correspondinglyformed surfaces on the side frames so as to limit the horizontal pivotalmovement of the bolster 'by the engagement of coplanar surfaces.

These and other objects and features of the invention will becomeapparent from an inspection of the drawings which disclose a form of theinvention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a truck bolster typical or illustrative ofthe type most commonly in use at the present time insofar as theintegral side lugs and the perpendicularly disposed side frame engagingsurfaces are concerned.

Figure 2 is a partial horizontal sectional and partial plan view of arailway truck embodying an illustrative form of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a transverse view shown partially in section and partiallyin elevation taken along the lines 33 of Figure 2, looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a front view shown partially in elevation and partially insection taken along the lines 44 of Figure 2, looking in the directionof the arrows.

Figure'5 is a detailedinverted view of the base member, arms and shoesassociated with the bolster structure of Figures 2 to 4 and removedtherefrom to more clearly illustrate the invention, the view being takenalong the lines 55 of Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like parts aredesignated by like reference characters, the numeral I generallyindicates a railway truck which comprises laterally spaced side frames2, only a part of onebeing illustrated, but, as will be understood, aside frame is disposed longitudinally of the truck structure adjacenteach side thereof. The side frame comprises a top chord or compressionmember 3 spaced vertically from a bottom chord or tension member 4.compression and tension members are longitudinally spaced guide columns5 forming a window or bolster opening'fi therebetween. Each guide columnis provided with an inwardly facingcylindrical concave surface I whichis preferably and substantially struck from an axis formed by theintersection of the longitudinal and transverse vertical planes of therespective side frame, which will be hereinafter referred to as thevertical axis of the side frame.

Forming continuations of the cylindricalcoaxial surfaces 1 are inner andouter surfaces 8 which lie in planes radiating substantially from thevertical axis of the associated side frame. Hence, the inner and outerradial surfaces 8 of each side frame are substantially coradial withrespect to one another.

Forming a tie or connection between the laterally spaced side frames isa load carrying member or bolster 9 having its respective ends Iii, onlyone being illustrated, extending into and occupying the upper area ofthe window opening 6 of each side'frame. The bolster of the instantstructure is primarily a bolster of the type most prevalent in serviceat the time of this Writing and slightly modified to accommodate thestructure associated therewith to alter or change its functionalrelationship with respect to the side frames. The existing type ofbolster, referred to above, is illustrated by Figure .1 wherein the endIntegrally joining the portions H3, in which the present invention isprimarily interested, comprise vertically spaced top and bottom walls Hand I2, respectively, joined adjacent their transverse edges bysubstantially vertical side walls 13. tion of the bolster, which isclosely associated with a side frame, is provided with inner and outerguide lugs I4 formed integrally with and outstanding from each bolsterside wall to embrace side frame guide columns.- In this manner thebolster, when forming a load carrying member of a truck structure, isrestricted from transverse movement with respect to the side frames.

It will be noted that, bythe particular configuration of the side wallsand guide lugs, the guide column engaging surfaces are perpendicularlydisposed to one another and, by reason of this construction, there canbe no surface bearing between the bolster and engaged portion of theside frame when the bolster tends to pivot in a horizontal plane aboutthe side frame. As will be apparent, any pivotal movement of the bolsterwill create line contacts between the engaging portions of the. bolsterand side frame which, due to the resilient support of the bolster andits substantially constant vertical movement during service, will wearat a remarkable rate. of speed until such time as suitable restrainingsurfaces have been formed. As these latter surfaces are being graduallyworn the bolster structure will also deviate from its permissibleangularity with respect to the side frames for which the truck structurewas initially or originally designed with bearing against the bottomwall I 2.

the result that one side frame of the truck struc ture will be leadingthe other or the corresponding side frame beyond a predetermined amountand the wheel flanges, due to the over-canting of the axles, arethenfree to override the subjacent rails to derail the truck. It is to avoidor overcome the series of actions outlined above that an existing truckbolster is modified and additional structure incorporated therewith tothereby allow the bolster to angle in a horizontal plane within apredetermined limit and present surfaces of appreciable area forengagement with correspondingly formed surfaces on the side frames. 7

To accomplish this result the integral guide lugs l4, formed on the sidewalls l3 of the bolster illustrated in Figure l, are removed by anydesirable method, along the lines M indicated diagrammatically, topresent relatively smooth or plane and parallel outer-surfaces l5-on theside walls. This being accomplished, a base member I6 is associated witheach end In of the bolster, as illustrated in the various figures of thedrawings, excepting Figure 1, and shown in detail in Figure 5. The basemember i6 is formed by a bed plate I! in subjacent relation to thebolster and having a relatively plane top surface I'l In effect, the bedplate forms a top spring plate for a group or nest of springs l8interposed between each bolster end and associated side frame tensionmember to resiliently support the bolster from the sidev frame. The bedplate desirably extends beyond the lateral limits of and outwardly fromeach end portion of the bolster and accordingly is provided withdepending flanges I9 to rigidify the plate as well as extend partiallyaround helical or coil springs 20 which form a part of the spring groupto thereby'assist in retaining the helical springs in operable position.Centrally The end pordisposed of each helical spring is an annulardepending boss 2! extending into the springs to assist the adjacentportion of the flange IS in preventing the accidental displacement ofthe upper extremity of the helical spring.

Positioned in the vertical axis of each side frame and centrally of thespring group is a downwardly opening spring pocket 22 formed on the baseplate and defined by a substantially continuous depending rib 23 for thereception of a band or clip 24 of a transversely disposed ellipticspring 25, the latter of which forms the remaining portion of the springgroup. Extending upwardly from the base plate outwardly of andintersecting the plane of the bolster bottom wall is an upstandingreinforcing flange 26 which overlies and bridges the outer two helicalspring seats. A constant relation is maintained between the bed plateand bolster by means of spaced studs l (i which extend into suitableapertures 12 in the bolster bottom wall I2.

In order to limit the horizontal angling movement of the bolster eachbolster side wall is provided with inner and outer upstanding orvertical arms, lugs or abutments 21 which are positioned in overlappingrelation with the respective side frame guide columns. The lugs 21 arepreferably spaced transversely and longitudinally of the truck structureand each is formed preferably substantially angular in horizontal crosssection to present a leg 28 having a plane inner surface 28 in bearingrelation with the associated side wall surface I! and a projection 29spaced outwardly from the guide column adjacent edge of the leg. Theabutment legs 28 are secured to the bolster side walls by means of welds30. Each abutment projection 29 has an inwardly facing surface 3!disposed in a plane radiating substantially from the vertical axis ofthe side frame and preferably spaced from the adjacent side frame radialsurface 8. The abutment surfaces 3| are angularly related to the sideframe radial surfaces 8, and the included angle between the associatedsurfaces is determinative of the permissible horizontal angling movementof the bolster with respect to the side frames. In this manner, by theassociation of radial surfaces, the bolster is not only afforded apivotal movement to incorporate a desired degree of flexibility in thetruck structure but this arrangement also presents surface contacts ofappreciable area and extent to not only limit the angling movement ofthe bolster but also materially reduce wear between the contacting orengaging surfaces. Each abutment 2'1 has a ledge or foot 2'! adjacentthe lower extremity thereof and which bears upon the upper surface Il ofthe bed plate to form an extension of the bolster bottom wall.

The radial surfaces 8 and 3| play little part in limiting the movementof the bolster with respect to the side frames longitudinally of thetruck structure, but to accomplish this purpose shoes, shims or wearblocks 32 are interposed between each bolster side wall and associatedguide column. Each shoe is desirably substantially of angularconfiguration in vertical cross section and comprises an upright stem orweb 33 provided on its inner side with a flat or plane surface 34 inbearing relation with the associated bolster side walls. The opposite orother side of the shoe stem or web is formed cylindrically convex, as at35, having an axis which coincides substantially with the vertical axisof the associated side frame. By reason of this arrangement, therefore,the

convex surfaces are substantially coaxial with one another as well aswith the guide column concave surfaces '1, and in this manner thebolster is free to pivot relatively to the side frames. This associationof concave and convex surfaces will also present bearing areas ofextended dimension to materially reduce Wear of the contacting orengaging portions of the bolster and side frames.

Each shoe stem is desirably formed of a width less than the distancebetween the associated abutment projections 29, and in this mannergrooves or indentations are formed for the application or reception ofvertical welds 36 which bind the transverse edge of each shoe stem andassociated projection 29 to the bolster side wall to prevent adisplacement or relative shifting of the assembled elements. The topedge of each shoe stem is bound to the bolster side wall by a horizontalweld 3'! which forms a continuation of the leg welds 30. Extendinginwardly of the vertical plane of each bolster side wall from adjacentthe lower extremity of the shoe stem is an angularly disposed leg orextension 38 underlying the bolster and in bearing relation with thebottom wall l2 so as to substantially relieve the welds 36 and 3? ofstresses during vertical movements of the bolster.

The bed plate of each base member I6 is provided with spaced reliefs orrecesses 39 to for-m pockets for the reception or accommodation of theshoe extensions 38. The shoe extensions are of a dimension preferablyless than the corresponding substantially occupied pocket, and in thismanner a channel M] is provided which may, if found desirable,accommodate a weld (not shown), thereby securing the extensions 38 tothe bottom wall of the bolster. However, it is preferred to leave thechannels 40 clear so as to provide a tolerance between the shoeextensions and associated portion of the bed plate, and accordingly theinner top edge of each extension is bevelled, as at l I, to form,together with the adjacent portion of the bolster bottom wall, anundercut which presents a pocket for a weld 42, thereby securing theshoe extensions to the bolster.

If, for various reasons, it is desired to follow the teachings of theinstant invention, bolster structures may be cast or originally formedwith substantially vertical, plane side wall surfaces and the basemembers and shoes may be associated therewith as it is not the presentintention to limit the present invention to the alteration andmodification of old structures.

As will be clearly understood, merely an exemplary form of the inventionis illustrated, and various changes and alterations may be made to thedisclosed structure without departing from Within the spirit and scopeof the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a truck bolster end having vertically spaced top and bottom wallsjoined by spaced vertical plane side walls, the combination of a basemember comprising a bed pl-ate removably associated with and bearingagainst said bottom wall, upstanding arms positioned adjacent each sideof said bed plate and being welded to said side walls to form side frameengaging lugs, a ledge formed on each arm in bearing relation with saidbed plate, said bed plate having spring means engaging portions on itslower surface and recesses extending inwardly of the vertical planes ofsaid side walls, a shoe secured to each side wall intermediate adjacentarms, and an extension on each shoe projecting inwardly of the bolsterwithin the corresponding recess; said extensions being bevelled to formpockets for the accommodation of welds.

2. In a. truck bolster end having a bottom wall and spaced vertical sidewalls, the combination of a base member comprising a bed plate removablyassociated with and bearing against said bottom wall, longitudinally andtransversely spaced upstanding arms in bearing relation with and weldedto said side walls, spring seats on a lower surface of said bed plate, aflange spaced outwardly of said bottom wall and formed on said bed platebridging underlying spring seats, shoes each comprising a stem bearingagainst a side wall and interposed between associated arms and each shoehaving an extension underlying said bolster and projecting into a recessformed in said plate, said stems and extensions being spaced from theirassociated structures to provide channels to accommodate welds forsecuring said arms and shoes to said bolster.

3. In a truck bolster end adapted to angle horizontally with respect toan associated side frame having vertically spaced top and bottom wallsjoined by plane vertical side walls, the combination of a base membercomprising a bed plate removably asosicated with and bearing againstsaid bottom wall, upstanding arms positioned adjacent sides of said bedplate embracing said side walls therebetween, said arms being welded. tosaid side walls and provided with inwardly facing surfaces substantiallycoradial with a vertical axis of the associated side frame to limit theangling movement therebetween, shoes each having a stem bearing againsta side wall and interposed between associated arms, a convex surface oneach shoe stem engaging correspondingly formed surfaces on said sideframe to permit said horizontal angling, each shoe having an extensionunderlying said bolster and positioned in a recess formed in said bedplate,

said stems being spaced from the upstanding arms to present channels,and Welds in said channels to thereby secure said shoes and arms to saidbolster.

4. In a truck bolster end adapted to angle horizontally with respect toan associated side frame and having vertically spaced top and bottomwalls joined by plane vertical side walls, the combination of a basemember comprising a bed plate underlying said bottom wall and in bearingrelation therewith, said bed plate being removably associated with saidbottom wall, arms adjacent transverse extremities of said plate inbearing relation with said side walls and plate, welds binding said armsto said side Walls, inwardly facing surfaces on said arms substantiallycoradial with the vertical axis of said side frame and adapted to engagecorrespondingly formed surfaces on said side frame to limit the anglingmovement of said bolster, a pair of shoes associated with said bolsterend and each comprising a stem having an outer cylindrically convexsurface coaxial with respect to said vertical axis, and an angularlydisposed leg formed on said shoe underlying said bottom wall andpositioned within a recess in said bed plate; sufficient clearance beingprovided between each shoe and the associated base member to form agroove for the reception of a weld.

5. In a truck bolster end adapted to angle horizontally with respect toan associated side frame and having vertically spaced top and bottomwalls joined by plane vertical side walls,

the' combination of a base member comprising a bed plate underlying saidbottom wall and in bearing relation therewith, said bed plate beingremovably associated with said bottom wall, arms upstanding from saidplate in bearing relation with said side walls, welds binding said armsto said side walls, inwardly facing surfaces on said arms substantiallycoradial with the vertical axis of said side frame and adapted to engagecorrespondingly formed surfaces on said side frame to limit the anglingmovement of said bolster, a pair of shoes associated with said bolsterend and each comprising a stem having a plane inner surface in bearingrelation with said side wall and-an outer cylindrically convex surfacecoaxial with respect to said vertical axis, and an angularly disposedleg extending inward.- ly of the bolsterformed adjacent the lowerextremity of each stem and positioned within a re cess in said bedplate, said shoes being welded to said bolster.

6. In a truck bolster end having vertically spaced top and bottom wallsjoined by spaced vertical side walls having plane outer surfaces, thecombination of a base member comprising a bed plate bearing against andremovably associated with said bottom wall, upstanding arms positionedadjacent each side of said plate and secured to said side walls, saidarms each having an inner plane surface in bearing relation with saidside wall surfaces and an angularly disposed surface coradial with thevertical axis of an associated side frame, a ledge formed adjacent thelower extremity of each arm and bearing upon said bed plate, shoessecured to said bolster end each having a stem provided with an innerplane surface in bearing relation with the adjacent side Wall surfaceand an outer cylindrical convex surface coaxial with said vertical axis,and an extension on each shoe underlying said bolster bottom wall andpositioned in a recess formed in said bed plate.

7. In a truck! bolster end having vertically spaced top and bottom wallsjoined by spaced vertical planeside walls, the combination of a basemember comprising a bed plate removably secured to saidbottom wall,upstanding arms positioned adjacent each side of said bed plate andbeing welded to said side walls to form side frame engaging lugs, saidbed plate having recesses extending inwardly of the vertical planes ofsaid side walls, a shoe secured to each side wall intermediate adjacentarms, and an extension on each shoe projecting inwardly of the bolsterwithin the corresponding recess.

8. In a truck bolster end having vertically spaced top and bottom wallsjoined by spaced side walls, the combination of a base member comprisinga bed plate in bearing relation with and removably associated with saidbottom wall, spring means engaging portions on a lower surface of saidbed plate, recesses in said bed plate extending inwardly of the planesof said side walls, a shoe secured to each side wall, an extension oneach shoe in the plane of said bed plate projecting inwardly of thebolster within the corresponding recess, and welds securing said shoesand extensions to said bolster.

9. In a truck bolster end adapted to angle horizontally with respect toan associated side frame and having vertically spaced top and bottomwalls joined by plane vertical side Walls, the combination of a basemember comprising a bed plate in subjacent relation to and removablyassociated with said bottom wall, recesses formed in said bed plate,shoes in bearing relation with said side walls and each having anextension adjacent an extremity: thereof projecting inwardly of thebolster to within the corresponding recess, and welds securing saidshoes to said side walls and said extensions to said bottom walls; saidshoes having cylindrical convex surfaces coaxial With respect to oneanother adapted to engage correspondingly formed surfaces on said sideframe to allow said horizontal angling movement of said bolster.

DONALD S. BARROWS.

